Psalms 49 - Printer Friendly

The subject of this psalm is depicted as a "riddle." In this case, that means something hard to understand or a frustration which requires wisdom to untangle (Proverbs 1:6–7). According to the introduction, this message is valuable for all people. That includes those who are rich or poor, powerful or weak (Psalm 49:1–4).

The mystery in question is how to react to people who are both wicked and rich. Some appear to live lives of comfort and prestige, though their hearts are opposed to God. Meanwhile, godly people often suffer. This is a topic addressed in other psalms (Psalm 73:2–3) and proverbs (Proverbs 11:4; 22:2). This can be discouraging to those who faithfully follow the Lord. However, those who reject God can only have temporary, false security. Money and prestige do not buy a pardon from sin. Eventually, everyone dies, and the rich will leave their money behind for others. Only the God-fearing person has hope in eternity (Psalm 49:5–12).

Those who trust in wealth, instead of God, have a final destiny of death. The psalm uses the term Sheol several times, referring vaguely to the grave or state of being dead. Those who honor God shouldn't be jealous of prosperous-but-ungodly people. Just as the poor, those rich persons will one day face God in judgment. No matter how wealthy a man is, he cannot avoid death any more than can the lowliest animal (Psalm 49:13–20).

Psalm 49:1–4 introduces the topic of the rest of the song. What the psalmist is about to say is crucial for everyone. It is a wise message that discusses a difficult topic—a "riddle"—which many people struggle to understand. The rest of the psalm discusses the frustration of seeing evil people prosper in the world, while there are good people who suffer.

Psalm 49:5–12 begins to describe and unravel the "riddle" previously mentioned. Though God warns about sin, wicked people may still prosper on earth. This can be discouraging to those who follow God but suffer at the hands of evil people. As the psalmist explains, ungodly people can only have a false sense of security. Wealth cannot buy pardon from sin. Ultimately, they will die and leave their wealth to others. The God-honoring person, however, has nothing to fear in eternity.

Psalm 49:13–20 further explains what happens to wicked people who trust in money rather than in God. Sheol—death and the grave—is their destiny. Righteous people should not be jealous of them or fear them. The rich leave everything behind when they die, no different than a poor person. For a second time, the writer compares physical death to that of animals.

The "riddle" in question is the fact that some rich persons are also wicked and ungodly. Rich and poor, alike, should remember that money is temporary. It is not a substitute for God's approval. All people face death and God's judgment. There is no reason to envy a person who has earthly wealth but lacks eternal hope.

As did Psalm 73, this passage tackles the riddle of how to respond to prosperity among those who reject God. Just as did Asaph (Psalm 73:15–19), the psalmist concludes that the prosperous wicked face a hopeless end. The righteous have an endless hope. This psalm is rightfully regarded as a wisdom psalm. Several themes, such as the temporary nature of wealth, are echoed in the book of Proverbs.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.